National Aspiring Principals Academy (NAPA)

Are you a teacher leader, an assistant principal, or an early career principal searching for quality professional learning to take your leadership to the next level? Are you a district leader committed to building a strong, diverse principal pipeline? NAPA will support these goals.

Program Overview

NAPA is a joint partnership between NAESP, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and AASA, The School Superintendents Association. Delivered by nationally recognized educational leaders and mentors, NAPA is a yearlong cohort-based academy designed  to support aspiring, assistant, and early career principals in attaining the essential skills and practices needed to advance to the next level  of leadership.

Academy and Registration Details

NAPA prepares aspiring and early career principals to lead forward with creativity, vision, and an eye on equity. Based on the Professional Standards for Educational Leaders, the academy uses an applied approach that includes addressing lessons learned in real time. Curriculum topics include:

  • Framing the Principal Role: Knowing Yourself and Your Leadership Strengths and Areas for Growth 
  • Leading for Equity with Urgency
  • Understanding Governance
  • Building a Community of Support
  • Balancing Leadership
  • Leading Learning
NAPA will not be offered during the 2024-2025 school year. 

If you have questions about future cohort availability or other aspects of NAPA, please contact Katie Earley at [email protected] or 703-518-6264.